This anonymous interview is with a job hunter who is currently employed (even if part-time or in an unrelated field), has not been hired within the last two months, and has been looking for a new position for Six months to a year. This person is looking in academic libraries and public libraries, at the following levels: Entry level.

This job hunter is in city/town in the Midwestern US and is willing to move anywhere.

What are the top three things you’re looking for in a job?

1) a salary that I can live off of 2)Good people that I can learn from and enjoy working with 3) a library that isn’t afraid of change

Where do you look for open positions?

listservs

Do you expect to see salary range listed in a job ad?

√ No (even if I might think it *should* be)

What’s your routine for preparing an application packet? How much time do you spend on it?

Customize cover letter, add resume, convert to PDF. Average time spent on each application that I email 15-20 minutes.

Have you ever stretched the truth, exaggerated, or lied on your resume, or at some other point during the hiring process?

√ Yes

When would you like employers to contact you?

√ To tell me if I have or have not been selected to move on to the interview stage√ To follow-up after an interview√ Once the position has been filled, even if it’s not me

How do you prefer to communicate with potential employers?

√ Email
:

Which events during the interview/visit are most important to your assessment of the position (i.e. deciding if you want the job)?

What do you think employers should do to get the best candidates to apply?

State what experience is required and what they are expecting. Be quick about making decisions because the best people won’t be on the job market very long or take your hesitation/sluggishness for disinterest.

What should employers do to make the hiring process less painful?

If you have a pdf application form that I must fill out, make it so that I can fill it out and send it back to you online.
Accept emailed applications.

What do you think is the secret to getting hired?

Applying a lot and being lucky.

This survey was co-authored by Naomi House from I Need A Library Job – Do you need one? Check it out!